Credit: This story was first seen on the Manchester Evening News
The stepfather of Martyn Hett, who was killed in the Manchester bomb, says he will continue promoting acceptance and understanding of LGBT issues in his memory, the Manchester Evening Post reports.
The GP practice where Stuart Murray works has been given a gold award by the LGBT Foundation for ‘excellence in lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans healthcare’.
Martyn, who was well known on social media and was gay himself, was among the 22 people killed in the atrocity at an Ariana Grande concert at Manchester Arena last month.
Dr Murray returned to work as a GP at Bedford House Medical Centre in Ashton-under-Lyne last week to receive a visit from Andrew Gulliver, co-ordinator of the LGBT Foundation’s ‘Pride in Practice’ awards.
He said: “They are trying to encourage an increased understanding of LGBT issues in the NHS, and foster acceptance around talking about it so health professionals are aware of patients’ different sexuality. It can be seen as a bit awkward to ask someone about their sexual orientation, but a lot of the time people want us to know as it can influence how we engage with them. Just as we would ask someone about their ethnicity, it is a question that needs to become run of the mill.”
Speaking about his stepson, who lived in Stockport at the time of his death, he said: “I didn’t realise how much he had done. We have had so many people telling their stories. He was so open about his sexuality, and I think that helped a lot of his friends to come out and be more accepting of who they are.
“It seemed fitting for me to use my job to spread the word as well. I am trying to carry on his message. Across all organisations there is still a lot of work to be done.”
The LGBT Foundation describes Pride in Practice as ‘a quality assurance support service that strengthens and develops your relationship with your lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) patients within your local community’, and is endorsed by the RCGP.
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